Now that a GOP panel has recommended Cleveland as the site of the 2016 Republican National Convention, Brown and other Democrats feel bullish that Columbus, now one of five cities vying for the 2016 Democratic Convention, might have a shot.

“We’re going to make history,” Brown said, predicting that Cleveland and Columbus might host 2016 major political party conventions.

Because of exclusivity clauses, Cleveland, which had put its hat in for the 2016 Democratic National Convention as well, is essentially eliminated from the running. Still in the mix are Brooklyn, Phoenix, Philadelphia and Birmingham.

One question will be whether the state can raise the money to host two conventions. Cleveland must raise $60 million for its GOP convention and Democrats as well are being asked to put up a healthy sum in order to host.

Brown said he does not believe raising the money would be a problem, because Columbus and Cleveland both have thriving business communities. He said the only potential overlap would be with the state, which has agreed to spend $10 million for the GOP convention.

“I would think Governor Kasich would want the Democratic Convention in Columbus as much as I want the Republican convention in Cleveland,” he said. “Which is a lot.”